RIP: Antonio Pena

[Guest jlvideo]

From the observer today:

 

 

Hall of Fame promoter passes away

 

 

 

by Dave Meltzer

 

The web site of Super Luchas magazine has reported that Antonio Pena passed away earlier today. Early reports indicate the death was due to a massive heart attack. Early reports list his age at 53, although other sources have his age at 58.

 

No other details are available, although he had been ill for some time and over the past few weeks it was largely rumored he was in bad shape. The promotion itself continually denied the rumors, claiming he was out of the country working on business deals at one point, and at other points claiming he was ill due to bronchitis. He is expected to be buried in Mexico City tomorrow afternoon.

 

Pena was a pro wrestler in the 70s, who later became head of creative for the EMLL promotion. He was booker at the time pro wrestling got popular on television in the late 80s in Mexico City.

 

In 1992, he quit EMLL, and with the help of the Televisa Network, formed the AAA promotion. The promotion set business records throughout Mexico from 1992-94, allowing wrestlers like Rey Misterio Jr., Eddy Guerrero, Octagon, La Parka, Psicosis, Juventud Guerrera, Latin Lover, Perro Aguayo Jr. and countless others to achieve their first tastes of superstardom.

 

To casual fans and the general public, it has been the most popular group in Mexico for the past few years, and draws significantly higher TV ratings and draws larger crowds for big shows outside of Mexico City than rival CMLL.

 

 

 

"Did Antonio also own AAA or jsut run/promote it?" What will happen to AAA now? I missed the old days with Art Barr,Eddie,Rey,Konann,Juvi,La Parka,Octagon,Perro Sr.,and more

[razazteca 0]

Take a hint Vincent Kennedy McMahon, take a vacation or have a heart attack.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

--As you can imagine, there are a lot of people really broken up by the death yesterday of Antonio Pena. The listed cause of death was a massive heart attack His funeral is before sundown today in Mexico City. I've obviously got a lot of thoughts and this isn't the place for them, but when he was on his game, he was one of the most incredible bookers and show producers this business has ever seen. The closest equivalent I can come up with would be the Vince McMahon of the 80s as far as changing the game and having this big picture vision of the product that most in the business couldn't see when it was happening. He obviously had his dark side as well. The wrestlers last night were told he was 57, as there have been many different birthdays listed for him. They had all been kept very much in the dark regarding his health issues. As far as what happens from here, lots of talk but no answers. A lot is expected to be made clear on Monda

 

From Meltzer.

 

Make no mistake about it, this will leave a big hole in AAA. Bob Barnett has said that Pena's nephew and Konnan will take over the book with AAA, and also that Pena apparently has pre-booked the next five TV tapings.

[razazteca 0]

More extreme lucha and less comedy matches for AAA?

[GODSON 0]

Over at dvd boards they said Televisa actually owns AAA. So I wonder will they pick the new promoters of AAA?

[razazteca 0]

AAA was promoted under other names like LLL and PAP in hopes to find another distributer just incase the company could get out of Televisa's contract.

[Scroby 0]

AAA was promoted under other names like LLL and PAP in hopes to find another distributer just incase the company could get out of Televisa's contract.

Is that why I kept seeing the LLL and PAP on those girls today?